Romanian tennis player Simona Halep defeated Sloane Stephens 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 to win the 2018 French Open.
Halep said she has dreamt about winning Roland Garros since she was 14 years old.
The first kiss 😘🏆@Simona_Halep#RG18 pic.twitter.com/5Ygrpv7E8M
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2018
“First of all, thank you guys. It was amazing. I felt your support. In the last game I felt like I could not breathe anymore. I just tried to not repeat what happened last year. Honestly, I cannot believe. I’m so happy it happened at Roland Garros and in Paris, my special city,” said Halep moments after the win.
“I was dreaming of this moment since I was starting to play tennis. I’m really happy it’s happened in Roland-Garros in Paris – my special city.”@Simona_Halep loves you, Paris.#RG18 pic.twitter.com/LHGTa6czLh
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2018
26-year-old Simona Halep became the second Romanian woman to win Roland Garros after Virginia Ruzici, who got the trophy 40 years ago.
”You can’t even script this remarkable 12-month journey for Simona Halep. A year ago on this court she was a set and a break up on Jelena Ostapenko, had break points for a double-break lead, blinked, and took one of the most soul-crushing losses I’ve ever seen in a major final. Holding back tears afterwards, she told the crowd, “Maybe I was not ready to win it.”
The moment @Simona_Halep became Roland-Garros champion!#RG18 pic.twitter.com/S1dDoOhwpp
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2018
Fast forward to today: Seemingly outplayed by Sloane Stephens, down a set and a break, she never stopped pressing and believing, never got down on herself. And this time, up 3-0 in the final set with a point for a double-break lead, she wins the point of the tournament to effectively seal the match,” according to a comment posted on WTA’s website.
The first comment of Sloane Stephens about Halep’s win:
“To Simona congratulations on your first Slam. There’s no one I’d rather lose to than the No.1 in the world so congratulations to you and your team.”
ESPN points out that Halep, who will continue to be ranked No. 1 in the world rankings, had lost at Roland Garros in both 2014 and 2017 and in this year’s Australian Open.